A 19-year-old man has been convicted of a series of motoring offences at Enniskillen Magistrates Court.

Lewis Armstrong, of Ballylucas Road, Tempo was stopped by police at around 4.30pm on November 21, 2020 on the Rigg Road in Enniskillen. The court heard that the officers on mobile patrol observed a Volkswagen Jetta swerving excessively on the road, skidding and sliding from side to side.

They stopped the car and spoke to the driver, asking for their details.

The car was full of passengers including a young child of around two years old.

Armstrong had no valid insurance and only had an provisional licence. He was unaccompanied and had no ‘L’ plates displayed.

The 19 year old made full admissions at the scene to all and said he should have have been accompanied by a more experienced driver and also that he had caused the wheels to spin.

Garry Smyth, representing Armstrong, told the court his client had no previous convictions and had co-operated fully with police.

Mr. Smyth described Rigg Road as a narrow country lane and the defendant was travelling uphill. As he accelerated up the hill the car skidded. He added that the car was seized after the incident and that his client’s appearance in court was “not lost on him”.

District Judge Steven Keown said he had significant question marks over the explanation given for Armstrong’s manner of driving but gave hie credit for having no previous record.

Armstrong was issued with six penalty points and a £600 fine for driving without due care and attention, having no insurance, no ‘L’ plates displayed and being an unaccompanied ‘L’ driver.

Judge Keown warned that if Armstrong should pass his driving test and get a single penalty point the six points would become active.